Monday, September 18, 2023

IAF's First C-295 Aircraft Has Been Spotted In Malta, Heading Home

The first of the Indian Air Force [IAF] C-295 Aircraft is making it's way to India. The Airbus subsidiary EADS CASA handed over this CA-7101 airframe 5 days ago, on Sept. 13, '23. This photograph was captured when it landed yesterday, at the Malta International Airport for refueling & replenishment. The flight is being operated by a mixed crew consisting of IAF personnel & Airbus pilots.
First C-295 Aircraft Of Indian Air Force CA-7101
The IAF would be inducting 56 of these aircraft into the fleet. They would help alleviate India's medium-haul logistics woes. The current platform performing this role, the Soviet-origin An-32 is heading towards obsolescence &, as Russian weapon systems go, also marred by poor availability.
As Airbus states,
"With 283 orders from 41 operators, the C295 is the undisputed leader in its segment and stands out for its versatility. It can carry up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, airdrop cargo, be used for medical evacuation and take off and land in short and unpaved runways."
The deal would see 40 of these aircraft being assembled in India by the Tata Advanced Systems Limited [TASL]. A milestone for the Indian private sector Aircraft industry.
Indian Air Force First C-295 Aircraft CA-7101 - 02
Godspeed

Friday, September 01, 2023

Kakrapar IPHWR-700 Nuclear Reactor Finally Starts Full-Fledged Operations

India's largest Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor [PHWR] recently commenced commercial operations at the Kakrapar Nuclear facilty, the KAPP-3.

Sunday, August 27, 2023

First Video Of INS Arighat - India's 2nd Nuclear Submarine

H/T @vivekrathod17

An intrepid ship-spotter caught the INS Arighat surfaced off the coast of Vizag. This is the first video of India's second in class indigenously developed Nuclear-powered Ballistic missile submarine [SSBN]. More in the pipeline.

Gursharan Kaur Kohli Launching INS Arihant

From the picture, 14 years ago, where the wife of India's then Prime Minister broke a pre-weakened coconut on to a tiny exposed surface of the boat, to this video capturing it's crew "soaking in the sun" in the sail of the submarine, it has been a long-drawn wait.

Update: Earlier version of this post identified it as the INS Arihant. However, the towed Array Sonar [TAS] enclosure of this boat is more lengthened than that observed in the INS Arihant. Therefore, a high probability it's INS Arighat, the next submarine in the Arihant-class series.

Godspeed

Also Read: Stories Of Indian Navy's Submarines …….And Some Sweet Photos